What We Do

CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION

Our Civic Beautification Committee strives to make permanent horticultural improvements for public benefit. It works to create awareness of horticultural and conservation practices. Several of our club projects include:

Designing and maintaining the Herb & Colonial Gardens at the Osterville Historical Museum.

Working with local civic organizations to choose an appropriate location for the planting of a tree for Arbor Day celebrations.

Under the Green Umbrella members maintain two gardens at the Cobb Astro park, an outdoor learning and event venue at Barnstable High School.

Working with local Girl Scout cadette troops in their completion of the Natives and Invasives badge created and offered through the National Garden Club.

CONSERVATION

Our Conservation group focuses on environmental awareness to educate members and the community to create sustainablelandscapes and gardens by using organic materials, native plants, recycling, and composting. Their monthly walks for the membership provide first-hand opportunities to observe the natural resources and fragile environment of Cape Cod. Walks to locations such as the National Seashore, Spohr Gardens, Bridge Creek and Lowell Howell Reserve sharpen our understanding of the Cape's varied terrains and allow time for member socialization.

DESIGN

Our Design group encourages members to hone their design skills as they participate in monthly floral design exhibits. Workshops in both traditional and creative floral design are offered throughout the year. Design Committee members are active participants in floral design exhibitions including the Southeastern District of the GCMA Annual Flower Show, the MFA's Art in Bloom Exhibit in Boston, MA and Cahoon in Bloom, at the Cahoon Museum of American Art, Cotuit, MA.

HORTICULTURE

Our Horticulture group offers members the opportunity to participate in monthly horticulture exhibits along with tours and workshops to learn more about landscape design and home gardening. Activities such as perennial exchanges, seed workshops and more, promote good horticultural practices. Committee members maintain the Butterfly Garden at Mass Audubon's Long Pasture Sanctuary in Cummaquid, MA.

EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIP

The Osterville Garden Club awards scholarships to residents of Barnstable who are seniors attending public schools (Barnstable High School, Sturgis School East or West, or Cape Cod Regional High School in Harwich), or are recent graduates and are attending college. In 2017 four scholarships totaling $6,000 were awarded to four graduating seniors. It is rewarding for the OGC to support students like these every year.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Osterville Garden Club extends its talents into our surrounding communities in a number of ways. We continually partner with various schools and organizations throughout Barnstable to develop an awareness of horticulture and conservation practices to all ages.

Every year we present over 200 holiday floral mugs for Meals on Wheels recipients. Our Garden Therapy Committee conducts monthly floral projects with the residents of the Pavilion Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. We also provide weekly floral displays at three Barnstable village libraries all year long.

CLUB SUPPORT

Club members can also participate on "non-green" committees. These important internal club support committees include Finance, Hospitality, Membership, Programs, Yearbook, Marketing and Communications, Nominating and Awards.

Our Ways & Means fundraising committee is vitally important to help offset the operational expenses of our club. Each year our Ways & Means committee coordinates our Annual Plant and Bake Sale which takes place on Memorial Day weekend.